The Calcasieu River at Old Town Bay is still above flood stage and has forced people living on Goos Ferry Road to access their homes by boat for the last several days.

Kelly Clary, who just bought a house there, said her family left their home Friday as the water began rising along the roadway. They have returned once to get clothing and are staying with relatives until the floodwaters recede.

“We got out just in time,” she said Wednesday. “(The water) was at 6 feet at the bottom door of my truck.”

Goos Ferry Road is considered impassable and is “closed to motor vehicle traffic,” according to Theresa Champeaux, assistant public works director for Calcasieu Parish. She said the Anthony Ferry Boat Launch is also closed because of the flooding.

Dick Gremillion, director of the Calcasieu Office of Emergency Preparedness, said the river is starting to recede. The Calcasieu River at Old Town Bay crested at 7.6 feet on Monday and was at 7.3 feet on Wednesday, he said. Flood stage is 4 feet.

“The area is considered a moderate flood stage,” Gremillion said.

Clary said a boat is the only way to get to their home until the water falls low enough for cars to access the roadway. She said people are parking their cars in a small area just off Old Town Road.

“People park their vehicles at the front of (Goos Ferry Road) and haul their boats out,” she said. “It’s an inconvenience, but it’s part of living on the river.”

Gremillion said the river at Sam Houston Jones State Park crested at 5 feet on Sunday and was considered “a minor flood level.” It was at 2.7 feet Wednesday.

The Calcasieu Saltwater Barrier crested at 4.6 feet Sunday and was at 4 feet Wednesday, he said.

Goos Ferry Road

Karen Wink